A-
New England Patriots
The Patriots won the night they stopped Jones from sliding. Grade: A-.
by dspencer68 ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 3 steals
· 0 reaches
If you want a masterclass in dealing, watch the Patriots, who turned every swap into a profit this weekend. Just about everything broke right, and the A- follows.
They banked enough surplus on Jones to cover a lot of smaller sins. Leaving interior defensive lineman unaddressed is the roster risk they will have to answer for in the fall. The Patriots paired the rookies with proven help, Justin Fields leading the way.
They went 5 of 8 on their needs, which is most of what a draft is for.
Bottom line, with Rome Odunze leading the way, this is a class that should pay off fast and rarely be regretted.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 8th overall pick they get a matchup problem out wide. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
In the 27th pick they get a blindside protector at fair value. A real need, handled.
Ricky Pearsall at Round 3, Pick 7 is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Nothing to complain about; Blake Fisher went a shade earlier than his grade, which is fine. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Jordan Travis at pick No. 139 is a sensible buy, a touch better than market for the quarterback. The roster fit checks out.
Taking Jarrian Jones in the Round 5 slot is close to grand larceny; a cornerback that good had no business lasting this long. A minor itch, scratched.
The board had Frank Gore Jr. higher than the 182nd overall pick, and the running back fell to them anyway. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
J.J. Weaver at the Round 7 slot is right where the board had him, plain and simple. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
They let Sheridan Jones come to them and pounced at pick No. 232. Stacking talent where they were already deep.